It was reported earlier this week that Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi sent a letter to President Obama. In the letter, Gadhafi wishes the president luck in his reelection campaign and asks Obama to help end the “unjust war” currently taking place in Libya.

"We have been hurt more morally [than] physically because of what had happened against us in both deeds and words by you," Gadhafi wrote. "Despite all this, you will always remain our son whatever happened. We still pray that you continue to be president of the U.S.A. We endeavour and hope that you will gain victory in the new election campaign."

Was Gadhafi wrong to try to appeal to Obama’s race and not his leadership skills? As the president of the United States, Obama has a responsibility to Black Americans—it's the same responsibility that he has to all Americans. But does Obama's race place a certain amount of culpability to Africa as well?

Kenya fully embraces the president as a brother since his father is a native Kenyan. However, while Obama acknowledges his ancestry, he doesn't go out of his way to give the country any special treatment. The United States’ reasoning behind its intervention in Libya is to liberate the citizens from the tyranny of an oppressive dictator. If that's the case, shouldn't Obama have given the order for military action in the Sudan, Zimbabwe or the Ivory Coast?

It's a mystery as to how the United States picks the next country it will assist. Maybe Obama picks the names out of a hat? But one thing's for certain, it's definitely not a race thing. If Gadhafi wants Obama to call off the troops, then maybe he should comply with his demand to step down as Libya's leader.

(Photo: Ed Hille /Landov )